In encoding high-definition video signals, the method includes overlapping panels with a single row in the overlap, selecting the better-encoded one of the rows in the overlap, removing the unselected row, and merging bit streams from the panels. In deciding which one of the rows in the overlap is better encoded, a heuristic approach may be used, for example, a panel with the fewer bits, or with fewer errors or the panel as suggested by the motion vectors. Optionally, panels may be synchronized by copying the selected row in the overlap in place of the unselected row in the overlap.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of encoding high definition video using overlapping panels, comprising the steps of: causing a first panel and a second panel to overlap by a single row thereby forming an overlapped row; separately encoding the first panel and the second panel; determining whether the overlapped row is better encoded in the first panel or the second panel; marking the panel with better encoding of the overlapped row; removing redundant encoding of the overlapped row from the panel that is not marked; and merging bit streams from the first panel and the second panel.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: if the video is encoded as a P-picture or an I-picture, optionally copying reconstruction of the overlapped row from the marked panel to the panel not marked.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of determining whether the overlapped row is better encoded in the first panel or the second panel comprises the step of: selecting a panel with fewer bits.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of determining whether the overlapped row is better encoded in the first panel or the second panel comprises the step of: selecting a panel with fewer errors.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of determining whether the overlapped row is better encoded in the first panel or the second panel comprises the step of: selecting a panel as suggested by a motion vector.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of removing redundant encoding from the panel that is not marked further comprises the step of: searching, in the panel not marked, a slice start code to determine for the overlapped row.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of removing redundant encoding from the panel that is not marked further comprises the step of: searching, in the panel not marked, from an end of a bit stream for a slice in the overlapped row.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of searching comprises the step of: overshooting and going forward.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of searching comprises the step of: decoding a first macroblock of a slice to determine its horizontal position.
10. A method of encoding high definition video using overlapping panels, comprising the steps of: causing a first panel and a second panel to overlap by a single row of macroblocks thereby forming an overlapped row of macroblocks; separately encoding the first panel and the second panel; determining whether the overlapped row of macroblocks is better encoded in the first panel or the second panel; marking the panel with better encoding of the overlapped row of macroblocks; removing redundant encoding of the overlapped row of macroblocks from the panel that is not marked; and merging bit streams from the first panel and the second panel.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of: if the video is encoded as a P-picture or an I-picture, optionally copying reconstruction of the overlapped row from the marked panel to the panel not marked.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of determining whether the overlapped row is better encoded in the first panel or the second panel comprises the step of: selecting a panel with fewer bits.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of determining whether the overlapped row is better encoded in the first panel or the second panel comprises the step of: selecting a panel with fewer errors.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of determining whether the overlapped row is better encoded in the first panel or the second panel comprises the step of: selecting a panel as suggested by a motion vector.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of removing redundant encoding from the panel that is not marked further comprises the step of: searching, in the panel not marked, a slice start code to determine for the overlapped row.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of removing redundant encoding from the panel that is not marked further comprises the step of: searching, in the panel not marked, from an end of a bit stream for a slice in the overlapped row.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of searching comprises the step of: overshooting and going forward.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of searching comprises the step of: decoding a first macroblock of a slice to determine its horizontal position.
19. A method of encoding high definition video using overlapping panels, comprising the steps of: causing a first panel and a second panel to overlap by a single row of slices thereby forming an overlapped row of slices; separately encoding the first panel and the second panel; determining whether the overlapped row of slices is better encoded in the first panel or the second panel; marking the panel with better encoding of the overlapped row of slices; removing redundant encoding of the overlapped row of slices from the panel that is not marked; and merging bit streams from the first panel and the second panel.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
September 29, 2000
June 22, 2004
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